Southeast Nursing and Rehab Center

Your Personal Info Could Be

Exposed Online After

This Hospital Breach

Breach Description

The breach at Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio, Texas, involved a significant mishandling of sensitive documents. Thousands of medical documents were discovered dumped near a busy interstate on the southeast side of Loop 410. These documents, found by city workers following a tip from a concerned citizen, included highly sensitive personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, medical records, employee payment stubs, COVID-19 screenings, and paperwork related to Child Protective Services (CPS) and a police investigation into reported sexual abuse of a nursing home resident[1].

The documents were linked to the Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and the discovery raised serious concerns about privacy and the potential for identity theft. One individual, whose contact information was found among the documents, expressed shock and frustration, highlighting the risk of someone using the information to “create another life” using her late mother’s identity[1].

The San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department quickly removed the documents after being alerted. However, the nursing facility’s management declined to comment on the situation when contacted. The Texas Department of State Health Services was also reached out to for a response[1].

This incident is part of a broader context of challenges faced by the Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility had previously settled lawsuits regarding COVID-19-related deaths in 2020, indicating ongoing issues with management and care standards[5]. The facility has been cited for multiple violations of state standards, including failure to develop complete care plans, improper handling of drugs, inaccurate record-keeping, and inadequate food safety practices[7]. These issues underscore the importance of stringent regulatory compliance and oversight in nursing and rehabilitation centers to protect residents and their sensitive information.

Citations:

  1. https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/medical-documents-found-san-antonio-bridge/273-ae708725-4dfe-4810-b19d-86402941cb00
  2. https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3582211/know-your-2024-tricare-health-plan-costs
  3. https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/medical-records-dumped-san-antonio-texas-documents/273-0984e97c-1d97-499b-9747-ff4e38646e2f
  4. https://www.wymt.com
  5. https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/southeast-side-nursing-home-settles-suits-18088411.php
  6. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/primary-care-rankings
  7. https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/LTCSearch/providerdetail.cfm?lang=EN&pid=005076&protype=Nursing&subtype=SNF%2FNF
  8. https://corewellhealth.org
  9. https://www.ksat.com/topic/Southeast_Nursing_and_Rehabilitation_Center/
  10. https://www.mayoclinic.org
  11. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca5/21-50413/21-50413-2022-03-31.html
  12. https://www.mhs.net
  13. https://www.janiceklaw.com/blog/violations-at-nursing-home-where-virus-outbreak-killed-19-outlined-in-450-page-report/
  14. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
  15. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/04/02/san-antonio-nursing-home-with-deadly-covid-19-outbreak-rated-much-below-average-by-us-government-records-show/
  16. https://atriumhealth.org
Breach Submission Date Jun 06, 2023
Converted Entity Name Southeast Nursing and Rehab Center
Converted Entity Type Healthcare Provider
State TX
Individuals Affected 2,721
Breach Type Improper Disposal

Breach Information Location Other, Paper/Films

Business Associate Present Yes